We first heard of Nate Viands when his father Scott contacted us. He wanted to say thank you for making a mini that was small enough for his 4 year old son, who loves to skate. Nate was diagnosed with Leukemia last year and has been going through intense chemotherapy treatment. After a 12 year layoff from skating, Scott picked up new boards for himself and Nate. When they skate together the cancer world disappears. Skating has been a bright spot for their family during these tough times. We decided to make Nate an honorary member of the REAL team. Keep pushing Nate!

Thanks to Nocturnal Skateshop and Luke Darigan for helping make this happen.

A grand throne and ornate carpet create a setting appropriate for the commemoration of Guanglu, an imperial kinsman, on his eightieth birthday 230 years ago today. The inscription reads in part:

“In the fiftieth year of the Qianlong reign, the yisi year, on the twenty-seventh day of the sixth lunar-month [August 1, 1785], was the grand celebration of the eightieth birthday of the prince, my deceased father. On that day he received a hanging scroll with this poem by the Emperor, who also commanded that [his imperial] son and grandsons should come bearing robes and jade and bringing goblets and viands, and commanding that the prince, my deceased father, should stay seated to receive their obeisances, which is truly the most extraordinary honors ever bestowed.”